WATCH: David Essex performs ‘Rock On’ for The Midnight Special – 1974

“Rock On” was written by English singer David Essex and originally recorded in 1973, and was the title track to Essex’s 1973 debut studio album and was also featured on the soundtrack album to the 1973 film That’ll Be the Day, in which Essex had a starring role. The song was released in August 1973 in the UK and reached its highest position at #3 in the UK Singles Chart in September that year, and was a top 5 song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop-music chart. It was Essex’s only Billboard top 40 hit. Here he is singing it on The Midnight Special in the spring of 1974.